What is the best armor set for exploring the Great Plateau in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The Great Plateau is the starting area in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and while it serves as a tutorial zone, it also introduces players to the importance of armor and equipment for survival. Since the Great Plateau is relatively small and contains only basic enemies, the best armor set for exploring it is limited to what you can find or acquire within the area. However, understanding how to maximize your gear and prepare for exploration is crucial for a smooth experience.

At the beginning of the game, Link starts with no armor or equipment. The first piece of armor you can obtain is the Old Shirt and Well-Worn Trousers, which are found in the Shrine of Resurrection. These provide minimal defense but are better than nothing. As you progress through the Great Plateau, you will encounter the Old Man, who gives you the Warm Doublet, a piece of armor that provides cold resistance. This is essential for surviving the colder regions of the Plateau, such as the snowy area near the Mount Hylia Shrine.

To obtain the Warm Doublet, you have two options. The first is to complete the Old Man's cooking challenge, where he asks you to cook a dish using Spicy Peppers and meat. You can find Spicy Peppers near the Temple of Time and hunt animals like boars or birds for meat. Once you cook the dish and give it to the Old Man, he will reward you with the Warm Doublet. The second option is to find the Old Man's cabin in the snowy area, where you can read his diary and learn about his recipe for Spicy Meat and Seafood Fry. If you cook this dish and bring it to him at the top of Mount Hylia, he will also give you the Warm Doublet.

While the Warm Doublet is the best armor piece you can get on the Great Plateau, it is important to note that it only provides cold resistance and minimal defense. To further enhance your survivability, you should focus on finding weapons, shields, and food. Weapons can be found in chests, dropped by enemies, or lying around the environment. Shields are particularly important for blocking attacks and parrying, which can be crucial when facing tougher enemies like the Bokoblins or the Guardian Scout in the Oman Au Shrine.

Food is another key resource for exploration. Cooking meals and elixirs can provide temporary boosts to your health, stamina, and resistance to environmental effects. For example, cooking Spicy Peppers with other ingredients can create dishes that grant cold resistance, which is useful for exploring the snowy areas. Additionally, cooking hearty ingredients like Hearty Radishes or Durians can restore all your hearts and provide extra temporary hearts, giving you a significant advantage in combat.

One common mistake players make on the Great Plateau is underestimating the importance of preparation. While the area is designed to be manageable for beginners, it still requires careful planning. For example, venturing into the snowy area without the Warm Doublet or cold-resistant food can quickly lead to death from freezing. Similarly, engaging in combat without proper weapons or shields can result in unnecessary damage or defeat. Always ensure you have the necessary gear and resources before exploring new areas.

Advanced techniques for the Great Plateau include mastering combat mechanics like perfect dodges and parries. Perfect dodges allow you to perform a Flurry Rush, which lets you land multiple hits on an enemy in slow motion. Parrying, on the other hand, requires precise timing with your shield to deflect enemy attacks, including those from Guardians. These techniques can be practiced on weaker enemies like Bokoblins and are invaluable for conserving weapons and avoiding damage.

In terms of alternative approaches, some players prefer to focus on stealth rather than combat. The Great Plateau has several areas where you can sneak past enemies or use the environment to your advantage. For example, you can use stealth to avoid Bokoblin camps or use explosive barrels to take out groups of enemies without engaging them directly. Stealth is particularly useful if you are low on weapons or health and want to conserve resources.

In conclusion, the best armor set for exploring the Great Plateau is the Warm Doublet, which provides cold resistance and is essential for surviving the snowy areas. While the Great Plateau is a beginner-friendly zone, proper preparation, resource management, and mastery of combat mechanics are key to a successful exploration. By focusing on acquiring weapons, shields, and food, and practicing advanced techniques like perfect dodges and parries, you can make the most of your time on the Great Plateau and prepare for the challenges that lie beyond.